Welcome to the Truth and Grace (T.A.G.) Blog: a place where women can connect with other women and encourage and support one another. We want this blog to be a positive place where all is done in love according to
I Corinthians 16:14 which says, "Let all that you do be done in love." (NASB) We welcome you to this blog and hope that it will be a source of encouragement to you.
~ Newsletter ~
I put out a monthly newsletter for women. The main emphasis is Bible study. Each newsletter contains one Bible study lesson as well as homework that corresponds to that lesson. If you'd like to view a sample of the newsletter, please send an email to the email address below and put "free newsletter sample" in the subject line. If you'd like to subscribe to the newsletter, send an email to the email address below and put "subscribe to newsletter" in subject line.
Friday, December 7, 2007~ Sabbath Reflections Part I ~
Part I
What I want to share this week will actually have to be broken up into sections. Therefore, Lord willing, I will be doing a little mini-series beginning today.
When I came across this cartoon, one thing really stood out to me. Maybe that's because it's something that has been on my mind for awhile now: how our reactions to circumstances can be an example - good or bad. The bird's response captured my attention. While these are just birds in a cartoon - we can still draw an application.
Before I talk about our responses to circumstances though, I want us to focus today on the issue of worrying. I want us to think about some questions:
Do we worry about money? Do we worry about how we're going to pay the bills? Do we worry about what we are going to eat? Do we worry about what we are going to wear? Do we worry about where we're going to live? Do we worry????
I have had many opportunities recently and in these last couple of years to do an awful lot of worrying, especially in regards to finances. And sadly enough, I have done my share of worrying. But you know what? God has really been working in me recently about the issue of His provision. Let me share with you some verses.
'For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are your worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.'" Matthew 6:25-34 (NASB)
"And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 (NASB)
These verses from God's Word are powerful! To sum up, we do not need to worry about our needs going unmet. Because God's Word promises us that God will supply what we need. You might ask: But what about the times we think we need something and we're not getting it. Then we must question - do we really need it? God will take care of our needs. But what must we do? We must seek His Kingdom and His righteousness first and foremost. That is our responsibility. Seek God. Seek His Kingdom. Seek His righteousness.
Recently a wonderful little story has come to my mind. It’s one my family reads each year during our holiday celebration. The story is about a man who goes about day by day with not much of anything. Yet his attitude is marvelous. He goes throughout the day and realizes that for that day his needs have been met. One of the things God has really been helping me change in my mentality is the whole concept of living day by day. For today, God has provided me and my family with what we need. We have shelter for today. We have food for today. We have clothing for today. We have heat for today. We have water for today. We have gas for the car today. Tomorrow is tomorrow. It's not here yet. So I do not need to worry about it. When tomorrow comes, God will make sure I have what I need for that day. It's an amazing work God is doing in my mind! Praise You Lord! Because let me tell you - I have been one to do quite a bit of worrying...especially in regards to finances. You know, our God wants what is best for us. He loves us. He keeps His promises. And He promises to supply our needs. Lord, You are so good.
Lord willing, we will tackle the issue of how we respond to circumstances and how important that is in next week’s Sabbath Reflections.
Personal Reflections
1. Do you tend to worry about things? Why or why not?
2. During this upcoming week, read the following passages of Scripture. Ask God to teach you His truth and show you what He wants you to learn, internalize, and apply.
Proverbs 15:4
Proverbs 18:20-21
James 3:1-12
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cartoon is property of Michael D. Waters at http://www.joyfultoons.com/.
I grew up in a ministry family. The daughter of a preacher, I definitely fit the typical mold of a preacher’s kid. I have had many life experiences including being a pregnant teen and single mom, experiencing divorce, and more. All of my life experiences, good and bad, have molded me into the person I am today. I have an intense desire to see women live in the freedom Christ came to give them. I myself know the prison of bondage and the liberation of Christ.
